"I started getting really crazy cystic acne in my mid-late 20s that hurt so bad, I would wake up in the middle of the night with my face pulsing when a new deep-rooted frenemy would appear. There were times when I honestly wouldn't leave the house and would just sit home icing my face, then steaming it . . . for hours. Before I realized that you literally cannot pop one of those bad boys, I would order surgical needles to puncture the spot by myself to try to make it go away. When I had access to all of the 'best treatments' out there, my routine would include a double cleanse, using a ton of at-home devices at once (microcurrent, high frequency, ice roller, LED light, etc.), toning and exfoliating with some kind of acid, serums, oil, moisturize, and spot treat. I've spent more money than I'd like to admit on facials, professional chemical peels, miccroneedling, and laser treatments — and more time obsessing over my skin than I'm proud of.
After two years, here's what cleared up my skin: keeping it simple, making sure my skin is constantly moisturized, having a balanced diet, drinking lemon balm tea daily, and sweating once a day. I also found an aesthetician who I trust and see frequently for clean-outs." — Sam Negrin, head of video, POPSUGAR
